U
Avalanche | Ski & Ride
Women’s AIARE 1
Join our Women’s Affinity AIARE 1 course and take your first steps towards becoming a confident and informed backcountry traveler. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) aiming to begin their avalanche education journey in a supportive and community-focused learning environment. This three-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provides students with a thorough introduction to avalanche hazard management. The AIARE 1 curriculum equips students with tools for decision making, avalanche terrain recognition, snowpack and weather observation, and avalanche rescue. Completing this course qualifies participants for our deeply discounted Alumni Mentorship Tours ($100 for a day of professional mentorship) so that you can continue to build your skills.
Scheduled: $600

Here’s What To Expect

Itinerary

Classroom Sessions: The course begins with two evening Zoom classroom sessions, during which we’ll form as a group and get ready for the field. Lectures and breakout sessions build upon pre-course materials and cover avalanche basics, terrain, decision making, human factors, and more. Classroom sessions are interactive and engaging, and provide the foundational knowledge that we’ll build upon on our field days.

Day 2: Field Day. We’ll spend a full field day covering avalanche rescue and snowpack observation skills. We will learn how to properly use our avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes to effect a companion rescue, both as a single rescuer and member of a group. As we travel to our rescue site, we’ll build snowpack and weather observation skills and discuss avalanche terrain identification.

Day 3: Field day. Our second field day is all about touring. The group will create and implement a tour plan, practice appropriate travel techniques, and hone our decision making skills. We’ll focus on avalanche terrain recognition, communication, and group management. We’ll also make some good turns and have some fun! The day concludes with a debrief and feedback to help students continue learning beyond the course.

Looking to spend another day out focusing on touring skills? Pair your AIARE 1 with a Women’s Affinity Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Riding Course.

This general itinerary is subject to change based on weather, road conditions, and group considerations. You will receive a pre-course email in the weeks leading up to the course detailing exact meeting times and places.
Trip Details
Ratio
1-6 Guests Per Guide
Season
December-March
Duration
3 Days
Skill level
Beginner +

Learn More

Program Rates
Scheduled: $600

Learn More

Learn More

Gear List
Ski & Ride

Learn More

https://drive.google.com/file/d/104_Cv-D7jiSTpDzLOQxP2q2ML_oHYqHm/view
This general itinerary is subject to change based on weather, road conditions, and group considerations. You will receive a pre-course email in the weeks leading up to the course detailing exact meeting times and places.

Program Cost Includes: AIARE Field Book

Program Cost Does NOT Include: Transportation

Trip Reviews
“I have skied with all of the guides at CMA and have had great experiences. They are passionate about their craft, and it shows in the experiences they provide. They know where to find the best skiing and have extensive knowledge of the local terrain.”
- Patrick

“They do the essentials really well: they’re professional, knowledgeable and competent, great teachers, and always keep an eye on safety as every guide service must. What sets them apart for me is that they do all that AND make it FUN. Some of the best times I’ve ever had in the mountains are with this crew. I highly recommend them!”

- Chase

“I hired this guide crew for technical education and then returned for their recreational guiding services. I’ll continue to lean on Cascade Mountain Ascents to bring me further into the backcountry and advance my technical skills in the mountains.”

- Blake

“Zack and Cascade Mountain Ascents is the best choice for your adventure no matter your skill level. From beginner to seasoned pro, Zack has you covered. His knowledge and skills of all-terrain and mountain situations had us feeling safe and confident all the way.”

- Adrian

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Mount Baker Ski Descent

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Rock

Custom Rock Trip

Mt. Erie

Vesper

Mexico Climbing - Izta & Orizaba

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Alpine

Custom Alpine Trip

Mount Baker Easton Glacier

Women's Kulshan Climb

Mount Baker Coleman Deming

Mount Baker North Ridge

Shuksan Sulphide

Shuksan Fisher Chimneys

West Ridge of Forbidden

Ice Cap Slam

Olympus

Glacier Peak

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Pickets Traverse

Eldorado East Ridge

Ruth & Icy

Dorado Needle

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SPI Assessment

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Custom Alpine Course

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Custom Avalanche Course

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Women's AIARE 1

AIARE 2

Fortune Peak Huts AIARE 2

Women's AIARE 2

AIARE Rescue Course

Avalanche Alumni Mentorship Days

Skill Levels

Ski & Ride

Beginner

I’ve never (or only a handful of times) toured in the backcountry before.

Intermediate

I’ve toured a bit and been exposed to a variety of conditions in the backcountry.

Advanced

I’m a strong rider with at least a few seasons of experience touring in the backcountry riding a variety of conditions.

Expert

Skiing/Riding is life. I tour in the backcountry 60+ days per year and have many years of experience.

Alpine

Beginner

I’ve never (or only a handful of times) been alpine climbing before.

Intermediate

I’ve climbed a bit on snow as well as rock and understand the basics.

Advanced

I’m a strong climber with at least a few years of experience climbing snow, rock, and ice.

Expert

Climbing is life. I have many years of experience climbing big mountain objectives in steep variable terrain.

Rock

Beginner

I’ve never (or only a handful of times) been outdoor rock climbing before.

Intermediate

I’ve climbed a few outdoor multi-pitch rock climbs as a follower and understand the basics.

Advanced

I’m a strong climber with at least a few years of experience climbing multi-pitch routes outside (sometimes on lead).

Expert

Climbing is life. I have many years of experience climbing and am comfortable leading up to 5.9 trad.

Program Rates

Scheduled Programs

Scheduled Programs are open to all to sign up for. These programs are charged a flat rate per person, regardless of the number of people on your booking. This flat rate is often the same as the 3:1 per person rate. Scheduled programs tend to be more cost effective for groups of one or two people, and allow you to connect with other people with similar mountain interests and skill sets. 

Standard Programs

Day Rates
Overnight Rates
AIARE Courses
Ratio

1:1

1:2

1:3

1:4 +

Price

$600

$375

$325

$300

Ratio

1:1

1:2

1:3

1:4 +

Price

$650

$425

$375

$350

Course

AIARE 1

AIARE 2

AIARE Rescue

Mentorship

Price

$600

$600

$275

$100

Technical Programs

Cascade Mountain Ascents pays guides more when they are working in terrain that is more involved or poses higher objective hazard. Therefore, a surcharge is added to trips we deem Challenging ($100) and Complex ($200). A custom surcharge may apply to non-standard programs and will be worked out by the guide and administrative staff along with the guest(s) during program design. Here’s more information on Technical Program Surcharges. 

INCOME BASED PROGRAMS

At Cascade Mountain Ascents, we believe that everyone deserves access to safe and joyful mountain experiences, regardless of their financial circumstances.  That's why we are excited to introduce our income-based program rates.  These rates are designed to pay it forward and create structural mechanisms for mitigating financial barriers to the outdoors. They currently only apply to our Affinity Programs. Irrespective of the tier you choose, 10% of all proceeds from the program will be directly allocated to CMA's Scholarship Program.

MINIMUM TUITION
REDUCED TUITION
STANDARD TUITION
50% Off Standard Rate: This tuition tier is for individuals who would otherwise struggle to afford the trip or course. It covers the essential costs of running the program, including guide wages and administrative support directly related to the program. 15% Off Standard Rate: This reduced tuition tier covers program expenses and overhead costs while also providing crucial support to CMA as a small business. Standard Rate+: This tier is the standard cost of the program in the absence of payment tier options. In choosing this tier, you are covering your program expenses, contributing to the sustainability of our payment tier program, and financially supporting the development of future affinity programs.
Program Rates

Scheduled Programs

Scheduled Programs are open to all to sign up for. These programs are charged a flat rate per person, regardless of the number of people on your booking. This flat rate is often the same as the 3:1 per person rate. Scheduled programs tend to be more cost effective for groups of one or two people, and allow you to connect with other people with similar mountain interests and skill sets. 

Standard Programs

Day Rates

Ratio
Price
1:1 $600
1:2 $375
1:3 $325
1:4 + $300

Overnight Rates

Ratio
Price
1:1 $650
1:2 $425
1:3 $375
1:4 + $350

Day Rates

Ratio
Price
Level 1 $575
Level 2 $575
Rescue $275
Mentorship $100

Technical Programs

Cascade Mountain Ascents pays guides more when they are working in terrain that is more involved or poses higher objective hazard. Therefore, a surcharge is added to trips we deem Challenging ($100) and Complex ($200). A custom surcharge may apply to non-standard programs and will be worked out by the guide and administrative staff along with the guest(s) during program design. Here’s more information on Technical Program Surcharges. 

Income Based Programs

At Cascade Mountain Ascents, we believe that everyone deserves access to safe and joyful mountain experiences, regardless of their financial circumstances.  That’s why we are excited to introduce our income-based program rates.  These rates are designed to pay it forward and create structural mechanisms for mitigating financial barriers to the outdoors. They currently only apply to our Affinity Programs. Irrespective of the tier you choose, 10% of all proceeds from the program will be directly allocated to CMA’s Scholarship Program.

50% Off Standard Rate: This tuition tier is for individuals who would otherwise struggle to afford the trip or course. It covers the essential costs of running the program, including guide wages and administrative support directly related to the program. 15% Off Standard Rate: This reduced tuition tier covers program expenses and overhead costs while also providing crucial support to CMA as a small business. Standard Rate+: This tier is the standard cost of the program in the absence of payment tier options. In choosing this tier, you are covering your program expenses, contributing to the sustainability of our payment tier program, and financially supporting the development of future affinity programs.